Hamilton College was overwhelmed by nationally-ranked No. 1 Washington University, in an 85-57 non-conference loss in the 25th annual Lopata Classic in St. Louis, Mo. on Dec. 5.
The Continentals never led in the contest and were out-rebounded 49-21.
Jay Simpson '10 and Russ Rosenband '12 scored 11 points apiece in the loss. Harlee Wood '09 chipped in with 10. Jon Ciriello recorded nine points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Hamilton trailed by as many as 20 in the first half, but cut the lead to 49-34 going into the break. The Continentals went on an 11-5 run to open the second stanza and cut the lead to 55-45 with 13:46 left on the clock on a Lance Wilson lay-up. The Bears responded with a 20-5 run to put the game out of reach with a 75-50 lead with just over six minutes remaining.
The loss was the first for the Continentals this season. They will face nationally-ranked No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan Dec. 7 at Washington University in another Lopata Classic match-up.
